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Horne and Brnovich spar in spirited debate

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne was on the defensive Monday night during a debate with his Republican primary challenger, Mark Brnovich, who attacked the incumbent's values, legal woes and leadership of the state's prosecutor's office while under investigation.

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Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne was on the defensive Monday night during a debate with his Republican primary challenger, Mark Brnovich, who attacked the incumbent's values, legal woes and leadership of the state's prosecutor's office while under investigation.

The candidates snapped at each other and bellowed over each other's answers during the Arizona Clean Elections Commission debate televised on KAET-TV.

Horne struggled to tout his accomplishments over Brnovich's attacks. Horne cited cases he has successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, his fight against "federal overreach" and President Obama, the $2 billion mortgage settlement he helped secure to assist struggling homeowners and dismantling of drug cartels.

He said was most proud of his family and commitment to his wife — a thinly veiled reference to an FBI report that alleged Horne did not leave a note during a 2012 fender bender because he wanted to hide an "extramarital affair" with a former staffer. Brnovich continued, criticizing Horne for failing to "take responsibility" for his actions, for inept leadership and for being a Democrat decades ago before registering as a Republican.

"At some point we need to appreciate that it's not the FBI, it's not Republican county attorneys, it's not Clean Elections Commission — it's always someone else's fault," Brnovich said. "At some point you're responsible for what you do, you can't just keep blaming other people for your problems."

Horne, who is being investigated over allegations he broke election laws, blamed his woes on The Arizona Republic, which he repeatedly said has run "ceaseless attacks" on him. He is also under investigation by elections officials, who are probing claims that he and top staff engaged in political activities in the Attorney General's Office. Horne has denied the allegations.

Horne, early on, said Martindale-Hubbell, which surveys lawyers, has rated him "very highly" for his ethics and highly for the quality of his legal work. He accused Brnovich of insulting him and personally attacking him while not allowing him to talk about his achievements. Horne repeatedly said voters will see through attacks against him and will return him to office, despite a "small self-selected group who consider themselves the establishment" and want Bronivch in office.

Horne speculated Brnovich would lose to Democrat Felecia Rotellini in the general election. And, he said he has not been distracted by the various investigations.

The pair repeatedly sparred over the extent of damage that Horne did to a Range Rover during the hit and run, with Horne at one point reading from an FBI surveillance transcript. Horne pleaded no contest to the accident and paid a fine.

"If you won't be truthful yourself how are you going to be truthful with voters," Brnovich asked, referring to the extent of the damage Horne caused to the vehicle.

"Your yelling at me doesn't change the fact that we can't have an attorney general who can't control his temper," Horne responded.

Horne touted the endorsements of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a conservative lawmaker and grassroots groups.

"I'm sure Tom has a lot of support amongst law enforcement because he spends a lot of time at the defense counsel table," Brnovich said.

Brnovich pointed out he's supported by Gov. Jan Brewer and former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.

"Back when I was going to Shadow Mountain High School, you were on the Paradise Valley School Board, I was working to get Ronald Reagan elected while you were working with liberals like Walter Mondale," Bronivch charged. "At the same time, Tom, if that's all you got — I gave $120 to Pete Rios a decade ago — you were a Democrat. So at some point, this is silly."

Horne countered that many Republican public officials have been Democrats in the "distant past."

The primary election is Aug. 26; early voting begins Thursday.

Horne has raised about $420,000; Brnovich has raised about $130,000.

But, Brnovich said, he is not deterred by his fundraising disadvantage.